• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

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Differences

Panasonic GF5 advantages over Nikon D610

  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Thinner
    36 mm vs 82 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    364g vs 1350g
    Lighter weight
  • Less shutter lag
    0.18 vs 0.26 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Nikon D610 advantages over Panasonic GF5

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.97 vs 4.33 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 1.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Better color depth
    25.1 vs 21.4 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    2,925 vs 618 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    14.4 vs 11.6 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 900 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.9 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    30 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GF5

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D610

Review Excerpt

  • Small body pairs nicely with compact, retractable Power Zoom lens. Extremely fast autofocus. Worthwhile improvements in image quality. Touchscreen overlays can now be hidden.

  • LCD panel is prone to fingerprint smudges. Weak flash, and no hot shoe. Modest burst performance, and very limited buffer for raw shooting. Noise levels and dynamic range still lag competition.

  • Eliminated sensor dust-and-oil spot issue from D600; Great controls for amateur or pro; Comfortable ergonomics and weight; Excellent image quality and low-light performance; Very good dynamic range; Excellent battery life; Built-in lens correction.

  • Not drastically different from D600; Moire with certain subjects; Auto WB still too warm in incandescent light; Slow AF in live view mode; Aliasing in videos.

The Competition

Compared to Canon 6D

Panasonic GF5
Canon 6D
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Internal flash
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Nikon D610
Canon 6D
  • $1597
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Built-in GPS

Compared to Olympus E-PL3

Panasonic GF5
Olympus E-PL3
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
Nikon D610
Olympus E-PL3
  • $1597
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Olympus E-PM1

Panasonic GF5
Olympus E-PM1
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Nikon D610
Olympus E-PM1
  • $1597
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner

Compared to Panasonic GF3X

Panasonic GF5
Panasonic GF3X
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range
  • $750
  • 4/3
Nikon D610
Panasonic GF3X
  • $1597
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Thinner

Compared to Nikon D600

Panasonic GF5
Nikon D600
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $1900
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Nikon D610
Nikon D600
  • $1597
  • 35mm
  • Faster RAW shooting
  • $1900
  • 35mm
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